His Little Maid

Chapter 10

Litch often stared at the worn down gravel path that disappears into the thick forest. Her eyes watching for any telltale signs of the black car her employer often use.It's been two weeks since both Lark and John went away to work on a sudden emergency related to their work. She didn't even know that they were gone until she woke up in the morning to see a frazzled Marris.

She didn't know what happened but it must've been a grave one for them to take off in the middle of the night and for the older woman to look like she gained more years due to stress and worry.

Litch proceeded to wipe the wolf statue for the third time that day, her eyes still scanning the forest. This time she wasn't waiting for Lark.It was after a few days that they were gone, Licht was at the greenhouse tending to her plants when she felt something.Trusting her instinct she went out of the greenhouse towards the looming forest. 

She hesitated at first, remembering Lark's stern order for them not to enter the forest without them.She doesn't really mind the command because of her bad memory of being inside the forest. Further more, these woods have wolves in it. Though she hasn't seen one ever since she's worked there. She isn't eager to look for it to make sure. But the feeling she got was still there and her curiosity was picking at her. 

Looking back, she didn't see Clara or Marris anywhere near. Maybe she can look around for a bit? She thought, and with another backward glance to ensure that the head maid wasn't there to stop her, she entered the thick forest.The inside was much darker than what she previously thought.

 The light from outside was dimmed by the large trees and only a few stray of sunlight passes. It was still the early hours of the afternoon so she can still see fairly well inside. Dry leaves crunched under her feet. The cacophony of sounds enveloped her and she could hear everything clearly. From the sway of the leaves to the creak of the branches. 

She took a deep breath as her mind reminded her of the time back when she was a kid. She doesn't fear the forest as bad as her aversion to wolves but being inside one was triggering unpleasant memories she did not want.Brushing away the unwanted thoughts, she remembered why she was in a forest and decided to calm down and rely on her sharp senses.She listened in on any sound that doesn't belong in a forest and her eyes scanned over the area. 

After a few minutes passed and she had been far inside, she stopped and shook her head."Maybe I'm just imagining things." she said to herself. Shrugging her shoulders and heaving out a defeated sigh, she turned to return back to the villa when a loud crunch sounded somewhere to her left.Her head quickly swiveled in the direction where the sound originated. She saw nothing aside from nature but she didn't drop her guard.

Wary, she tried to walk away backwards, her eyes never leaving the spot.

Another rustle sounded and this time it was more prominent. Her ears were perked to the slightest sound. She was weighing between running back or staying in her spot when a decision was made for her.

A man, bare of anything except a pair of boxer suddenly emerged from one of the thick trees. How she did not see him there before baffled her. He either must be pretty quiet and fast for her to not see him or he's been hiding there all along.

Licht assessed the man. Sizing him up if she needed to bolt.

He had shoulder length brown hair with a similar colored eyes, a rogue smile and sharp jaws. His nose was a little crooked and a small scar run on the side of his lips. He was bulky and stand at over 6 foot in her estimation. He is handsome in a roguish kind of way and appeared to be in his late thirties.

She narrowed her eyes at him. Danger screaming at her head but she remained still and waited for the man to move. He was merely assessing her as she did him. She saw him sniff the air once before zeroing his gaze on her again.What a weird guy.

"You're human but I can definitely smell his scent on you. Are you his mate?" He murmured, confused. And she's as confused as him. Of course she's human, what did he think? That she's a magical unicorn? And what in tarnation is a mate? Is that another word for a friend.

Is he talking about Lark? His question bugged her.

Well she can consider herself as his friend but what does he think of her? She shook the thought away from her head. She doesn't need to analyse that now.

Litch deemed the man not only a danger but a lunatic. Carefully she took a small step backward but he was quick to notice and she froze.

"Who're you, young lady?" He asked and she glared at him. Her mouth set in a thin line.

"Excuse me? I think it's you who should be telling me who you are. Mr. Trespasser." She said haughtily, momentarily forgetting that she's inside a dense forest with a half naked- probably dangerous- man.

He laughed at her bravery. "Foolish human, you have no idea who I am." That struck something in her and made the vein in her temple tick. She growled at him in irritation.

"Of course I don't know who you are. Stupid. All I know is that you're an insane pervert that likes to frolick inside the forest half naked and addressing other people as humans." She sneered. Not liking the vibe he's emitting.

"Now go away before I call the cops on you." She threatened but he just laughed again.

"Silly girl, if only you weren't human, I would've gotten rid of you. But he won't be happy with that." She heard him mumble, thinking that she can't hear him. She looked at him warily now. Did he just talked about killing her?Alarm bells were ringing in her head. Danger.

She watched him like a hawk, her stance was stiff and she willed her heart to calm down. She never liked the feeling of fear but she knew this guy is dangerous.

Then he suddenly put his hand up signalling his surrender, surprising her. "Look, I'm not a suspicious person. Just as you say I'm just traveling this forest."Litch snorted at that. He's the embodiment of suspicion. Who in their right mind will be walking in the forest, topless to boot. Still, she understood that she was facing a dangerous man and if he was backing away, she should not push him.

"Maybe I should tell Lark about this." she mumbled to herself. That perked him up and he looked at her with more interest.

"Did you just say Lark?" He said making her turn to look at him, his hand was now crossed on his chest. She raised her brows, it seems she isn't the only one with sharp ears, but she nodded to answer nonetheless.

"What, you know my boss?" She asked the stranger, she had her suspicions that he did. Maybe she should ask his name so she can tell Lark later.

He smirked, eyes twinkling with something that made her uneasy. "You can say that I do. And he's your boss?" He said, finally taking note of her uniform. "Ahh, are you one of his maid?" He asked and Litch can only roll her eyes."Well what do you think Captain Obvious?" She said in a snarky tone, her previous fear thrown into the forest floor now that he's backing down. He grinned at her sarcasm making her skin crawl at the sinister feel of it.

He c****d his head to the side as if in deep contemplation, the line on his forehead was increasing. "No wonder I can smell him on you. I wonder if you know what your employer is." He said to her as if he knew something she didn't. Licht raised a brow at that.

He's just messing with your head. Don't listen to him.

Litch stood her ground. "I think I fairly know those who employs me and I try to make sure that I don't work under a criminal. If that's what you're implying." She answered and again he just laughed.

She's really worried for his sanity

"Oh little girl, he's much worse than that." He said so surely that it gripped her heart and a shiver ran down her spine. Still, she would believe Lark's word over a stranger. So she ignored her unease.

"I don't believe you. And I will repeat this only once but if you don't leave right now I will really call the police." She bluffed, she doesn't have a phone with her but he didn't know that. She just want to leave and forgot about this strange event. The longer she stayed there, the higher her risk of being caught into some trouble.

She heaved a sigh of relief when he lowered his hand and turned around. "Fine, but I hope this encounter stay between us little maid. It will be safer for you." He said cryptically before turning around and going deeper and deeper inside the forest.

She watched his back until it disappeared from her sight. She knew she shouldn't have let the weirdo go but she also knew that she's no match against him. She might be stronger than a regular human but that man just looked and feel stronger.

And he was talking about killing her. If he isn't Psycho then he's probably insane.

Though, she can fairly say that Lark and John feels way more stronger and dangerous than him. Her eyes narrowed, his words seeping deep into her heart. She also remembered the things she heard before.

She blinked her eyes and shook her head. Dispelling the thought away from her mind. Nope. She's not going to entertain a madman's words.

Unnerved by what happened, she quickly exited the cage of trees until she got outside of it. The side of villa stood in front of her mightily and she found a frantic Marris shouting her name.

When she found her, the relief can be seen flooding the older woman's eyes. Litch watched her heave a sigh, one hand on top of her chest.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you!" Marris told her, worry and fear can still be clearly heard from her voice.

She smiled sheepishly at the older woman, not having the courage to look at her eyes.

Marris caught on the strange behavior, she sniffed around her when she's looking down, noting the scent of the forest. Thankfully, there was no scent of another wolf on her so she sighed in relief. Still, she glared and put both hands on her hips.

Litch looked up to see the older woman looking at her in accusation.

"You entered the forest didn't you?" Litch looked down again as the target was hit cleanly. She squirmed at the intense gaze directed at her. She spotted Clara looking at them with worry while she looked at the ground in shame.

"I'm sorry." was all she could utter. She heard the older woman give out a loud sigh. She dared to look up only to see Marris smiling at her.

"Nothing happened there right?" she asked and Licht had no idea what possessed her to lie. She just didn't want them to worry.

She beamed a smile to them. "Nothing happened." She lied through her teeth. She had no idea why she did but she just didn't want them to worry anymore. He'll just tell Lark when he comes back.

Marris nodded her head while Clara let out a smile. "Just don't do it again okay?" The woman pointed at her sternly. Litch nodded her head.

"With what's happening, we don't know the dangers lurking." Marris mumbled to herself catching her attention. But she guessed that she'd put her nose far too much into things today so she let it pass.

Still, her eyes lingered back on the forest when they started to come back inside the villa.Even now her eyes often stray towards it just to make sure that no one was there. That maybe she just did run into some weirdo.

She suppressed the urge a lot and ignored the inkling she often feel that someone was watching them.

It's just ridiculous Litch. Don't look at it anymore.

She finally left the poor statue alone to prepare lunch when the telltale rubble of an engine caught her ears.

Her heart thudded loudly at her chest and she suppressed the grin from bursting from her lips. Excitement flooding her system.

Quickly, she ran towards the doors to open them. Just in time to see the car exiting the cage of trees and stop in front of the villa.

Oh, how he missed him. Then after a while Licht froze from what she just thought. Nope, no way. Don't even go there. She told herself.

But still her eyes continued to seek the form of her employer. Wanting to see his face and confirm that he is okay. Litch felt Marris stand beside her, Clara running towards them in hurry. The two girls watched anxiously as Lark and John exited the black car. Sighing in relief when they looked fine.

The door on the back of the car also opened and a blonde man and brunette woman stepped out. She narrowed her eyes when the woman appeared. And she was standing too close to him. The desire to pummel that unknown woman blooms in her chest.

Woah there girl. She had berate herself again to stop thinking like this. That was so violent.

Still, Licht eyed them suspiciously wondering who were the people accompanying Lark.

Is that his girlfriend? That's his fiance. Isn't she? Dreadful imagery flashed before her eyes and her heart now clenched painfully against her chest and she almost squeezed it. She does not like this woman's presence.

When she caught their eyes, she was taken aback when they suddenly beamed a smile at her direction. She could almost see the girl giddy with excitement, his companion had to stop her from bursting from her skin.

They all waited for them to come near them. Moving to the side to make way for them.

When Lark got near, she finally got to see him closer and stare at him. He stared back, relief clear in his eyes. He smiled at her and she bowed down in welcome.

"Welcome back Lark, John. I see you've brought Jake and Andrea with you." Marris clapped her hand in delight. She and Clara both looked at the newcomer with hesitation.

"Who do you think they are?" She heard Clara whisper at her side, she could almost see the pout accompanying those words as the brunnette was now talking with John. Clearly she isn't the only one peeved with the arrival of the new girl.

Licht shrugged her shoulders appearing nonchalant even though she really wanted to pry her away from Lark. She has no idea who they were anyway.

They were both handsome and beautiful, maybe a little younger than Lark. I hope those two newcomers are lovers or something. She thought again. Not wanting to imagine Lark with another woman. He's mine.

Gah, where did that come from? Stop it, Licht. He's not yours! What's wrong with you? Licht was having a really intense battle with her conflicting thoughts.

She was pulled from her internal argument when the brunette waved her hand at them when they got near and that unnerved both of the girls.

"Licht, Clara." Lark called out to them when they got to the lobby. The two were quick to obey and they waited patiently as Lark introduced the two.

"Girls, these are Jake and Andrea. And these are my new maids Litch and Clara." Lark started pointing at the two, they still have that megawatt smile on their lips. Licht and Clara bowed in respect but was stopped by the two, instead they opted to take their hands in a handshake, still wearing those blinding smile.

"They're my cousins and they will be staying here in the moment." He informed them and they both nodded. When she heard that, the heavy feeling from her heart lifted and she released a sigh of relief. She blinked in shock before looking around, thankful that no one noticed. Seriously, what's wrong with her?

Lark turned serious and looked at John, saving herself from further analyzing her feelings. "They will be helping us with our work, since we will be going out more." he informed them.

Litch frowned at that bit. That meant that they will be leaving again. If she had to be honest, she doesn't like it when Lark leaves the house for too long. She worries for him and she feels lonely whenever he's far.

And there she went again. Why does everything about this man affected her. Argh. She does not like this feeling. At all.

She composed herself and pushed those thoughts to the back of her head. "Nice to meet you, Jake, Andrea." She put on a smile for them, Clara shyly doing the same.

After the introduction they set out for lunch. And the two girls marvel at Jake and Andrea's appetite. They were big eaters.

"You must be really hungry, huh?" Licht said unsure, eyeing the growing empty plates in front of the two. She was trying to get acquainted with Lark's family, a bit guilty from the previous thoughts that floated in her mind.

The brunette appeared to choke and she coughed a little. She blushed while wiping her mouth. "We left early and had not gotten breakfast." Jake said in response, patting Andrea's back. She just smiled, afraid that she offended them but they quickly brushed off her apology.

Licht saw her look at him in relief, as if a secret message passed through them. When they looked back at them the twinkle in their eyes were still not diminishing.

Licht noticed Clara trying to hide behind her. She gets easily shy with strangers and she can't blame her. Even she is wary of these two, despite them being Lark's cousins, there's just something weird about them that she can't put her fingers to.

After eating, they were preparing to work again. Licht seeing that he might be unavailable for some time again. Tried to catch Lark's attention by tugging at his shirt.

The man looked at her in question, worry suddenly filling him. She hesitated but she wanted him to know her strange encounter in the woods.

"What is it Licht?" Lark asked when she remained silent, conflict present in her eyes.

He narrowed his own as the strange behavior worried him. He saw the other three looked at them curiously but he commanded him with their eyes to leave them alone. They obeyed and went upstairs. Clara also left them alone on the base of the staircase.

"Uhm, I know you're really busy but there's something I want to tell you." Litch said to him in hesitation then she nimble on her lower lip after, she does that unconsciously when anxious.

Lark's eyes traveled towards the bruised appendages and his eyes darkened considerably. He willed his wolf away, dispelling the urge to ravish her lips and simply nodded his head, worried at the urgency of her tone.

"Ah but it doesn't have to be now!" She told him in haste when she remembered how busy he was. Lark laughed at his mate. He would make time for her if she ever wants to talk to him. And he told her that.

She shook her head then smiled at him. "It's okay I'll tell you later?" She asked him, unsure. He nodded his head. "Come at my room after dinner." He told her and she nodded her head, flashing him a small smile.

"See you then." He waved. When he got his back turned, Litch frowned, wondering how she can tell him about the strange man in the woods.